A special constable has spoken of his shock after being spat at while sitting in a police van in York.
The incident happened at the end of SC Chris Hartley’s football shift, where he had been on duty at the game between York City and Nuneaton Borough.
In a tweet he recounted what happend:
-
Unbelievable end to my football shift.
Sat in marked van on main York shopping street, drunk male walks past van and spits in through open window hitting me right in face.
SC Hartley said the offender was caught after being chased by his colleague, adding: “Back up by York cops was amazing, thank you”.
‘Spit guards needed’
These are mesh hoods used to stop arrested people spitting or biting officers. DCC Cain tweeted:
Last couple of days has views voice on spit guards.
This shows mentality of some people who officers, staff and volunteers have to deal with daily and why spit guards are needed.
Who is being degraded here @libertyhq? Happy to debate as @PFEW_Chair and @DaveThompsonCC offered. https://t.co/KgsrlYsPae— DCC Phil Cain (@DCCPhilCain) February 24, 2019
Campaign group Liberty want the use of such hoods outlawed.
SC Hartley’s experience drew a lot of public support and sympathy – and calls for the offenders to face tough penalties.
Barry Wain on Twitter said: “Should be 30 day mandatory prison sentence for aggressive spitting. Unfortunately we all know this will never become reality.”